KU Design students, faculty and alumni win AIGA Kansas City awards

LAWRENCE – University of Kansas Department of Design students, faculty and alumni were recognized at AIGA Kansas City’s 20th Annual A-Awards & Gala last month at the Zhou B Art Center in the 18th and Vine Jazz District.

KU students took home a total of 13 awards in the student category, including Holly Covington’s Best in Class Award for Brand and Identity. Matthew Cook, an assistant professor in the animation and illustration programs, won two awards in the professional category. 

Among multiple awards won by KU alumni, Carpenter Collective, the branding agency founded by Jayhawks Jessica and Tad Carpenter, received Best in Class and Juror's Choice awards.

Student category winners:

Branding and Identity: Maxwell Commer, Wichita; Holly Covington, Lawrence (two awards, including Best in Class).

Editorial, Print Design: Wes Kemnitzer, Kansas City, Missouri; Kalani Rio, Liberty, Missouri.

Environmental, Public Art: August Oppeau, Spring Hill; Ami Weicker, Munsbach, Luxembourg.

Illustration: Kate Uecker, Kansas City, Missouri.

Lettering, Typeface Design: Lauren Waldo, Olathe.

Packaging: Audrey Keltner, Tonganoxie; Kalani Rio; Kristin Weidner, Downers Grove, Illinois; Kaitlyn Windholz, Victoria.

Awarded student projects were mentored by design faculty members Alex Anderson, Andrea Herstowski, Sam Meier and Jeremy Shellhorn.